It was a total error of judgement on my part after seeing the video a few times, I shouldn’t have posted that. I don’t think I need to be crucified, I’m in the wrong and should’ve thought before I posted.
Anyone who has seen that video has purposefully searched it out in order to find and watch it, you haven't just stumbled across it. There's been enough folk who witnessed it first hand who've said how horrific it was, the fact anyone would choose to go looking for that is weird beyond comprehension, you've gotta be of a peculiar mental state to do that. And then to make that post accusing the other player.........well thats another level of depravity.
I’ve not seen it and nor do I want to. How anyone can suggest manslaughter is beyond stupid. There’s absolutely no doubt in most people’s mind that the Steelers bloke wanted that outcome. It’s like a footballer I’m guessing going in on a player with a sliding trip to stop him progressing towards goal without intention to hurt or harm. I’ve done it myself in football and not once intended to hurt anyone. Bit silly to post that on here and maybe a lesson to people to actually “think” and read back your comments before hitting the “post” button. Rip to Adam Johnson in this total freak accident.
Daft comment, but he’s held his hands up and apologised. Under the circumstances, let’s just leave it there eh? Nothing more to be gained by wading in.
It was even more innocuous than that. The Sheffield player was skating at reasonably high speed, collided with a Nottingham player and went flying, and Adam Johnson just happened to be in the vicinity and got caught by the Sheffield lad's skate. Beyond a freak occurrence. Having been to a few hockey matches, high-speed, high-impact collisions are pretty routine. It's a very fast, high-contact sport at the end of the day. Hopefully some sort of neck protection will become mandatory after this tragedy.
Yeah, let’s hope some kind of neck system can come out of this for the future of the sport. Just like F1 - every death has lead to massive changes and improvements.
Hopefully so. I find it hard to fathom, in this day and age, that it isn't already. The players wear padded gear and helmets but their neck is not protected which, as has now so horrifically been demonstrated, is perhaps the most vulnerable part of their body. Hit the jugular and you are gone within minutes. I know it's such a freak accident but the game is so fast that the possibility is always there - I am surprised it hasn't happened more often. To be honest, I can't watch Dancing on Ice for the same reason - these celebs are being lifted or doing the lifting with only a few weeks practise, I was always watching through my fingers waiting for something awful to happen.
It seems that neck guards do exist in hockey, and in the USA while it's "recommended" that players wear them, they certainly aren't mandatory. I'm guessing that maybe players don't like them as they restrict movement. However, after this weekend's tragedy, hopefully players will start to reconsider. From reading a short American article, it seems that neck lacerations aren't particularly uncommon in hockey, just they don't usually end with a fatality. https://www.usahockey.com/layout_co...2247&page_node_id=908022&tab_element_id=13541
Totally agree, he was wrong and has apologised like you say, all the criticism can't be good for his mental health.
Also came across this article. There was a similar fatality in a junior game in America last year. Absolutely crazy that pro players don't all wear something to protect them. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/12/sports/hockey/teddy-balkind-skate-neck-guard.html
They're mandatory at youth games in the UK and at pro level in some countries, but not in the UK or USA at the very least. And my understanding is that even in countries where they're required players bend the rules somewhat. Cutting them down, stretching them, wearing them in the wrong position etc. Hopefully some good comes out of this tragedy and some change happens. It must be hard to convince players it's something to care about when the last major fatality at pro level was before they were born.